Five Reasons to Use Retractable Air Hose Reels On Your Shop Floor
Posted by Mark Schieber on 15th May 2020
The use of retractable air hose reels to organize your hoses and electrical cables can make your operation safer and more efficient. By getting hoses and cables off the shop floor, retractable hose reels increase five-fold the life of these mission critical items. More importantly, hose reels reduce tripping hazards which can result in lost work time and costly workers compensation claims. By keeping your hoses neatly stowed away on a reel, you increase productivity and reduce time spent repairing, replacing, and fitting air hoses.
Five Ways That Retractable Air Hose Reels Add Value:
|
|
|
|
|
| Improve Efficiency | Increase Safety | Minimize Leakages | Reduce Hose Wear | Increase Productivity |
OSHA's Take on The Use of Air Hose Reels:
There are many situations on a plant floor that present the opportunity for slips, trips, falls, and injury. The responsibility for hazard reduction ultimately lies with the Environmental Health and Safety Manager. Unfortunately, available controls to mitigate hazards are readily available but often ignored. According to OSHA, preventive measures include: "coiling up extension cords and air hoses when not in use and keeping electrical wires out of the way." OSHA's fall prevention tips recommend "practicing good housekeeping by keeping cords, air hoses, and welding leads out of aisle-ways and adjacent work areas." Source: www.osha.gov
When selecting an air hose reel, choose a reel that will complement your hose management plan over the long term:
Your hose reel selection should promote maximum up time and go hand in hand with your lean strategy. The purchase of an Industrial Grade, American Made Hose Reel will ensure proper hose retraction coupled with a long worry-free service life. Manufacturers such as Reelcraft USA offer hose reels with the following features and benefits:
| Features: |
Benefits: |
| Reinforced Steel Guide Arms |
Resist Bending From Angular Hose Pull Resulting in a Longer Service Life |
|
Enclosed Long Drive Springs |
Eliminate Possible Spring Damage From Reverse Winding of Spool |
|
Structural Steel Frame |
Light and Strong Components for Easy Installation and Handling |
| Corrosion Resistance | Individually Powder Quoted Parts Withstand Use in Harsh Environments |
|
Safety Curved Edge Base |
Quickly and Easily Mount Reels on Structurally Sound Surfaces |
| Adjustable Guide Arm | Multiple Arm Positions Ensure Operator Comfort and Better Ergonomics |
| Fewer Components | Increased Service Life and Fewer Repair Parts Required. Greater Sustainability |
In summary, the implementation and proper use of a high-quality air hose reel can bring lasting benefits to your organization. Reels are a universal tool can be used to transfer anything from air, water, transmission fluid, grease, oils, antifreeze, diesel fuels, welding gases, liquid pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, solvents and chemicals. A hose reel ensures that there is always a hose close by when needed. Furthermore, by getting pneumatic hoses and cables off the floor immediately after use, you improve plant safety, efficiency, and compliance, and hose life all while boosting operator morale.
Are you looking for a way to reduce operator fatigue from air hose inflexibility at the workstation? Check out the benefits an air hose swivel connector might bring.
For help selecting the right air hose reel for your hose management project, we are here to help. We can even help design custom hose reels based on a specific application. Please reach out to us at (800) 608-5210 or email: info@intlairtool.com
Thanks for reading.
Mark Schieber
President
International Air Tool and Industrial Supply Company